Levelled Up in Motion: Matt Grundy.

At Shillington, we’re constantly inspired by graduates who keep pushing their creative limits and our new interview series, Levelled Up in Motion, celebrates exactly that. This series spotlights Shillington Graphic Design graduates who’ve returned to up-skill in our Motion for Graphic Designers course, expanding their capabilities and opening fresh career opportunities.

We’re kicking things off with Matt Grundy. A designer who first studied on our part-time course back in 2016 after making a bold career change from banking to design. Over the next eight years, Matt built a thriving career in both in-house and agency roles, working across print and digital. But as the industry shifted, so did his ambitions. Knowing motion design was the next big step, he came back to Shillington to add a dynamic new dimension to his work.

In our conversation, Matt shares why he chose to level up with motion, the hard work and late nights behind mastering new skills and why he now can’t imagine a future in design without it.

A double Shillington graduate! Welcome back once again, Matt. Let's jump straight in.

What was the turning point that made design your career path, not just a passion?

I worked in banking for 10 years but always had a creative career on my mind. It was all just a matter of time, finding the right way in and with the right support, thats where Shillington stepped in. Avoiding all the usual noise about “you need a uni degree” I ditched my banking job and just went for it. Encouraged by my girlfriend (as she was heading back to uni) we both supported eachothers new career shifts. I found Shillington, joined an info session, knew it was right, signed up and never looked back.

What kind of work were you doing before you decided to explore motion?

I was stumbling around in Photoshop timelines making static posts ‘move’ with basic, naff jumpy gifs 

Why did you choose to return to study and why motion, specifically?

Having worked both in house and agency across print and digital I knew that motion was the next step for me to take to keep up with the design industry demand and level up the skills.

What made you choose Shillington’s Motion for Graphic Designers course over other upskilling options?

I did consider other ways to learn, the one day courses, self taught stuff, videos on youtube, pressing all the buttons in After Fffects, but nothing filled me with any confidence. Having studied at Shillington in the past I knew that I'd get out what I put in, its not just a “here's how you do some bits in After Effects” its a full understanding of how motion works and how to use it properly. From the course set up to the support throughout I knew it was 100% the right way to get into motion.

How did you find balancing the course with your existing professional and personal commitments?

HARD, very hard, like harder than expected but in the best way possible. You don't get shit hot at something by cruising along, you listen, watch, practice and put in the hours to get good at it. Those hours came with sacrifices that I had pre agreed (with my employer, friends and family), it was crazy important for me to get as much out of the course as I could.

I wanted to get those newly learnt motion skills on show asap.

What surprised you most about the learning experience?

Being proficient in something after 12 weeks is ace. Not just capable but proficient to apply it in a professional working environment, to real life briefs and clients.

Were there any standout moments, breakthroughs or challenges that stuck with you?

Taking a step back from my own development. It was great to see how everyone else on the course was progressing. Week after week everyone was showing new skills: different ways of thinking, different problem solving, approaches and ways of tackling the tasks, briefs, projects all supported and guided by our teachers.

How did the pace and structure of the course fit into your working life?

After the first weeks sessions I had some rhythm so that meant I knew how to allocate my time ahead of the next weeks sessions. It was long late nights and long weeks, but it was clearly defined what was needed and when.

If you could go back and give yourself one piece of advice before starting, what would it be?

Put in more time to practice and ask more questions. Don't suffer in silence staring at that blank space in After Effects, share that pain with the group.

Did you consider self-teaching or other platforms before committing to a structured course?

I considered it yes, worth my time no. Nothing else out there has anything as comprehensive in such an easy to digest format.

How did this learning experience compare to any other training you’ve done in the past?

There aren't many courses that I can think of or that anyone else could recommend that can teach you how to use After Effects in the time that this motion course does.

You learn After Effects in 12 weeks. You commit to something like this and there's no doubt in your mind that at the end of 12 weeks you’ll be proficient in it. Why would you not take it?

Has your perspective on motion design shifted since starting the course?

I see it everywhere and I want to do it all but I also appreciate that so much more hard work goes into it. The hours, the frustrations, the After Effects crashes, the lost files, the slow renders, the pain, the joy.. it's dedication and it's respecting the process. Those challenges push you to improve and find better ways to work. in return that end result feels way more rewarding.

Which moment in your Motion Major Project are you particularly proud of and why?

I've had the pleasure of presenting my major projects to so many people and each and every person has loved them. It's elevated my work and it's probably the most passionate I've found myself when talking about my own creative work. The best part of presenting them is that I had no idea how to even navigate After Effects before this course.

Where are you looking for inspiration now that you’re thinking in motion?

Theres motion inspiration in media everywhere but only a small portion do it to a really high level that makes you take notice. Heres some that spring straight to mind: agencies: DixonBaxi, Studio Size and Future Deluxe.

If you could pick one dream motion project to work on, what would it look like?

Anything Nike related purely for the joy of working on something you know they would equally love to push as far as possible with motion. As a brand they thrive on high energy, bold creative so it would be ace to create something that allows you the freedom to experiment. That creative alignment would make it just as enjoyable as the final design.

And finally. Looking 5 years ahead, how do you imagine motion shaping your future career?

I can't imagine a future in design without it. As AI creeps further into the world of design and it becomes more automated, well crafted motion will become an even more powerful way to stand out.

Inspired to follow in his footsteps?

Start from scratch and launch your creative career with our Graphic Design Course.

Already a practicing designer? Take things further and bring your work to life with our Motion for Graphic Designers Course.